Ever wondered what sort of career you can have with the skills gained from a Diploma in Digital Marketing? Jenni Harrison, a featured success story became a Virtual Assistant with a specialty in Digital Marketing. She uses her skills gained from the Digital Marketing Diploma to help businesses with their online marketing. We interviewed Jenni (again) on her job as a Virtual Assistant and what it entails.
See below some of the interview questions and answers:
What is Virtual Assistant?
In accordance to the NZ Virtual Assistant Network, Virtual Assistants (VAs) are business owners who offer a variety of remote services to other businesses. The services they offer generally include administrative, technical and creative tasks.
How did you become a Virtual Assistant?
In the Digital Marketing Diploma, there was a wide selection of subject matter. However, I wasn’t sure where to focus or what to specialise in. Fortunately, I got the chance to test out all the different sections in the diploma. Whilst learning I made the transition to virtual work for my part-time job. By doing so this allowed me to get lots of practice in, using friends’ businesses for assignments at NZIE.
“I figured whilst studying, the best way to put my skills into practice, was to be a virtual assistant. I loved it so much and have stuck with it ever since!”
What does typical day as a Virtual Assistant look like for you?
I love that I have SUCH a variety in a typical day. For example, I’m working with coaches in social media as well as putting an online course together. Next, I’m dabbling in CRM systems, Kajabi, Kartra, and Teachable. Because I’ve got the grounding knowledge from NZIE, I can pretty much teach myself anything with my experience.
Day to day tasks of a Virtual Assistant:
- Check inbox for any urgent things as well as client inboxes
- Plan to do list and check on deadlines needing to be met
- Batch create social media posts for the week for clients
- Move onto digital and web design work or SEO and a variety of other digital marketing related tasks.
- Enjoy break time
- Take my dog for a walk along the beach
- Then back to client work again
What is your favourite part about becoming a Virtual Assistant?
“The best thing about becoming a virtual assistant (VA) was that I had control of my time. This meant I could decide how work fit in around my family time, and study obligations etc.”
For instance, when studying I could get up early to complete my assignment. Followed by brunch with family and work in the afternoon. That’s why I decided to become a VA which took place in term 2 during the Digital Marketing Diploma.
How do you cope working virtually without co-workers?
I am actually a member of the Virtual Assistant New Zealand Network with 1000+ other VA’s. Being a VA can be quite lonely, but I can bounce ideas off other VAs on our Facebook group. They also host a virtual summit every year. Most noteworthy, they bring on guest speakers who host business workshops. As a result, it’s been a great support network for me whilst working-from-home.
What has technology and digital marketing allowed in your day-to-day life now?
Digital Marketing and technology have allowed me to be fully in charge of my own time. Most importantly virtual work has allowed so much flexibility in my life and with my family. For example, my daughter broke her leg and we were in hospital for 3 days. However, I was able to be there for her, manage client work and still check in at home with family.
To summarise:
“Digital Marketing has allowed me time freedom, flexibility and a lifestyle that works perfectly for me”
Would you recommend NZIE as a stepping stone to becoming a VA?
Yes, I would recommend NZIE’s Digital Marketing Diploma because what it has done for me. I love the flexibility and being in charge of my own time as a digital marketing VA.
To read more about Jenni and her Virtual Assistant journey with NZIE see her full success story here: Meet Jenni. Here is her incredible success story and journey as a mature student discovering a newfound passion in her fifties.
Interested in becoming a Digital Marketing VA yourself? Check out the Diploma in Digital Marketing today!
